SINGAPORE, Feb 5: The Singapore government on Monday said it will again review the terms of the annually held Formula 1 race, which came under scrutiny after the arrest of former Indian-origin Transport Minister Subramaniam Iswaran on corruption charges.
The government also said it has asked the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to conduct an audit of the 2022 Grand Prix.
Minister-in-charge for Trade Relations Grace Fu informed about the decision in Parliament on Monday. Though Fu did not give more details in the house, she added, “Members will understand that I cannot say more on this at this point.”
Fu also evaded her reply by saying she cannot deal with questions that relate to matters which may have to be dealt with during Iswaran’s trial.
Members of Parliament had filed several parliamentary questions on the F1 race after the former Indian-origin transport minister was arrested on corruption charges.
The case against the former minister, who was also the Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations, is ongoing.
Iswaran, 61, was arrested by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in July 2023 and released on bail.
On January 18, he was slapped with 27 charges, comprising two counts of corruption, 24 counts of obtaining items from someone he had business dealings with as a public servant and one of obstructing the course of justice.
He is accused of obtaining items such as tickets to musicals and football matches from billionaire hotelier Ong Beng Seng. The value of the items in the 27 charges is worth more than SGD 380,000.
Both Iswaran and Ong were leading the annual F1 race in Singapore.
Replying to Leader of the Opposition and Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh’s question on which agency is reviewing the F1 deal, Fu said the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) is leading the review and may involve other agencies.
“It is not appropriate for us to speculate or prejudge the outcome of the proceedings. I will answer in so far as it is possible to do so,” Channel News Asia quoted Fu as saying.
Associate Professor Jamus Lim, from the opposition Workers’ Party, also asked about the government’s contracts with Ong Beng Seng’s companies, while some MPs asked if there had been any non-compliance with processes.
Fu said the STB had in 2007 signed a contract with the Singapore GP to organise the F1 night race in Singapore. The tourism board renewed this contract three times – in 2012, 2017 and 2022. The contract is currently in its fourth term, which will end in 2028.
The MTI said on January 18 that the terms of all the agreements were considered carefully by the government and there was “nothing to suggest as of now that either the F1 contracts or other contracts were structured to the disadvantage of the government”.
Fu added, “Whilst we will review any government contracts to safeguard Singapore’s interest, we remain committed to the F1 Singapore Grand Prix. Preparations for the 2024 race have started.”
Meanwhile, Singapore Parliament will wait for Iswaran’s court case on corruption charges to conclude before deciding if a Committee of Inquiry (COI) is needed, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said on Monday.
Iswaran’s pre-trial conference is scheduled for March 1, according to a report by The Straits Times.
Indranee said in her speech on Monday that a COI is appointed to look into matters, including accidents involving death, serious injury or serious property damage, and incidents that may endanger public safety, public health or the management of a ministry.
“The purpose of a COI is to investigate something with a view of finding out how it happened,” the Singapore daily quoted Indranee as saying.
“In this case, the CPIB has investigated the matter. Based on the investigation, the Attorney-General’s Chambers took the view that there is a basis for criminal charges to be brought against Iswaran.
“Determination of criminal offences is a matter for the court, which is currently dealing with the case.”
Iswaran had resigned from the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and had stepped down as transport minister as well as a Member of Parliament. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
